By Scooter_McG
The 49ers have agreed to terms with two more free agents - 25 year old WR/ return specialist Ray Ray McCloud on a 2-year deal worth up to $10.4M and 28 year old safety/ special teams ace George Odum on a 3-year deal worth up to $10.95M.
McCloud is listed as a 5'9" 190lbs WR that is a shifty runner with good speed that excels as a punt and kick returner. He spent the past two seasons with the Steelers, earning a spot on PFF's second team All Pro roster in 2020 as he averaged 10.3 yards on 29 punt returns while also gaining 646 kick return yards. Last season he led the NFL in punt return yards (367 yards) and was third in yards per return (9.7), while also accumulating 776 kick return yards (4th in the NFL).
While his primary role will be as the 49ers return man, McCloud also contributed as a receiver for the Steelers and may well carve out a role on offense for the 49ers. He finished with 20 receptions in 2020 and 39 receptions last season. In both years his yards per reception were very low for a WR, which can largely be attributed to how he was used as a slot WR primarily asked to run shallow crossing routes or quick outs as an outlet for the QB while also taking some sweeps and screen passes.
George Odum is a 6'1" 202 lbs safety that is a special teams demon, with his stellar contributions on special teams earning him first team All Pro honours in 2020. Odum also has starting experience at safety filling in for injury, with last season seeing Odum play the most defensive snaps of his career (471 snaps, 43% of all defensive snaps for the Colts in 2021) where he accumulated 55 tackles, 2 passes defensed, an intercept, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Odum will provide nice depth to the safety group, but it would seem unlikely that he is being viewed by the team as one of the starting safeties.
While both McCloud and Odum provide nice depth on offense and defense respectively, these signings are all about improving the 49ers special teams which was atrocious in 2021. McCloud instantly upgrades the 49ers return game which in recent years has been one of the least dynamic in the NFL. Odum, as well as the addition of Oren Burks earlier in the fre agency period, will be expected to lift the 49ers coverage units while also help spring McCloud in the return game.
After watching the 49ers special teams units make numerous silly mistakes in 2021 it is a welcome sight seeing the team prioritise strengthening the special teams units, including hiring Brian Schneider as the speical team coordinator.
Dunno about "starting" safety. I imagine he'll compete at SS against Moore and Hufanga. Odum did not miss a tackle in the box last year, that and his interchangeability will pair nicely with another sure tackler back there in, Jimmy Ward.
ReplyDeleteOjabo tore his achilles. Would you burn a 3rd rounder on him?
ReplyDeleteAwful for Ojabo. That'll cost him some money.
DeleteTbh though, I was not that keen on Ojabu even before the injury. 1 year starter that had a great season opposite Hutchison, who got most of the attention.
The 49ers are sending the message that they believe that, realistically, they are a year away from winning the Super Bowl. The teams that believe they can win now - Buffalo, LA Chargers, Raiders, Cleveland, are going all in like the Rams did in 2021.
ReplyDeleteThe 49ers are sending the message that they thought CB and special teams were the weakest part of a roster they believe is a Super Bowl contender.
DeleteLol. This reminds me of last year, when Kyle thought his team was so much better than everyone else that they could spend the entire top half of their draft on developmental prospects. Now it seems that they are so much better than the competition, that the Niners can allow $26M to be tied up during free agency on a player they don't want, as long as they fix their special teams, which also lost two of their best special teamers in Sherfield & Cannon.
DeleteIn some ways I have to admire Kyle's arrogance I guess.
I think they will be better on Special Teams, but when was the last time you said to yourself - "boy this team is close, all they need is to get better on special teams, and they are lock to win the Super Bowl"?
The good news for those of us who are wondering if the Niners moves in free agency and draft really moves the needle, all we really have to do is look at the 49ers Super Bowl odds, post free agency and the draft. Vegas will tell us what the majority of people who follow the NFL think. Something tells me that leaving $20M of cap space unspent, isn't exactly what one would consider "going all in".
I do really like the Charvarius Ward signing. He's a terrific, young, long, ascending CB. Very, very smart choice to shore up the outside CB position. I hope they bring back Verett on a cheap, incintives based deal.
DeleteI am not completely unhappy with the players they got, it just doesn't seem like nearly enough at this stage, considering they have a starting QB who is in only the 2nd year of his rookie contract. Now would have been a good time to sign a Chandler Jones, or a Von Miller, or a Za'Darius Smith, and go for it, IMO, unless of course, they are planning on going for it in 2023.
So the team that was a dropped easy INT away from the Super Bowl in 2021, despite playing a QB you think is awful, didn't have a Super Bowl calibre roster last year or coming up this year? Okie dokie.
Delete"it just doesn't seem like nearly enough at this stage, considering they have a starting QB who is in only the 2nd year of his rookie contract".
DeleteMy god you talk out of both sides off your mouth. On one hand you say the 49ers would have won the SB last season if only they'd played Lance instead of JG. On the other hand you say the team isn't doing enough to be a SB contender in 2022 by giving Lance pretty much the same roster. Sheesh.
Scooter, the 49ers didn't go as far in 2021 as they did in 2019, and they came up short in 2019, so that's not getting better.
DeleteNow, will Trey Lance make the difference this season? I think it's very possible. But, if they truly believe this is the year they can get over the hump, I'd like to see them being more aggressive in free agency.
Having a QB who is on a rookie contract is the time to go for it, and spend during free agency in real DIFFERENCE MAKERS, not obscure special team players most people have never even heard of.
That's what KC did in 2019, that's what Tampa Bay did in 2020, and that's what the Rams did in 2021, and they all got over the hump and won the Super Bowl.
Let me say this again: the biggest advantage of having a QB on a rookie pay scale is that you can afford to surround him with more elite talent than you otherwise would be able to with an expensive QB. And when I say "elite talent", I am not talking about Special Team players, for crying out loud.
Whether or not Jimmy's contract is hindering the 49ers in the early part of free agency or not, it's not a good look, and that's a fact. 1/2 the 49ers fan base is up in arms over the fact that Jimmy is tying up so much money and the 49ers are being so frugal in free agency, and I don't really blame them .... UNLESS ShanaLynch are hedging a bit, leary of going all in this year because they aren't exactly sure what they have in Trey.
And I suspect that ShanaLynch are hedging their bets this year.
DeleteOr, maybe, just maybe, the 49ers feel like they already have the roster to go all the way with just a few additions here and there and are looking at how they can sustain success by putting money into keeping their own.
DeleteBtw, that's actually the formula the Chiefs used to win in 2019.
The 49ers will be in the mix if they move forward with Trey. I'm kind of hoping they can do better than just be in the mix.
DeleteThe funny thing about this idea that Special Teams is going to put them over the top, ST wasn't why they lost to the Rams. ST did probably cost them at least one game last year, but that still would have seen them finish 3rd in their division. And finishing 3rd in their division is probably why they ran out of gas in the postseason.
You are obviously buying in on the idea that the 49ers are currently the best team in the NFC, even with $20M going unused this season. I don't know how you can make that argument when the 49ers weren't the team to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl last season.
The 49ers are good. Real good. But are they better than the top teams in the AFC? Because last I checked, to win a Super Bowl, you have to play better than everyone, not just fellow NFC teams.
OH, and not only did Special Teams not cost them in the postseason ... Special Teams actually won them their divisional round game VS the Packers. In other words, ST was a problem during the regular season, but not the postseason.
Delete"My god you talk out of both sides off your mouth."
DeleteScooter, both? There are infinite number of mouth sides from which Reasons spews. The only way to get him to STFU is for the Niners to go on an winning streak, like last season's remarkable end and playoff run. The pathetic guy disappeared, had nothing to say then.
And dude vowed to stay away for a year, couldn't last 2 whole months.
DeleteDon't waste time on him, brings nothing to the table. If there was a mute button on here that would be amazing, he'd only be conversing with himself...well more than he already does.
BTW, it's worth noting that Ray Ray is a 4.5 guy. Explosive, but lacking breakaway speed. I do like his skillset, but I recognized on film that he doesn't have homerun speed, so I don't see him as a deep threat receiver for Trey and his big arm, although I do expect him to be involved in the offense as a gadget player.
ReplyDeleteGive me Christian Watson as a sort of Randy Moss WR
ReplyDeleteTop 50 pick.
DeleteI agree with razor that Watson will likely be a top 50 pick. Some team will fall in love with that combo of size and speed. And they should - unlike some other size/ speed WR prospects in previous years, Watson actually displays pretty high level WR skills.
DeleteIf we could get a 2nd or 3th rounder this draft for Jimmy G it is possible BUT...
DeleteGood call Robber. BIG thumbs up on Christian Watson from me!!!!
DeleteThe problem is that they may have have to go Strong Safety or OG/C, or DE now, because so far they have failed to properly address those positions, IMO.
I mean with their top 2 picks.
DeleteI can't help but feel the 49ers should be trying to bring Derek Barnett on board. He didn't work out as hoped with the Eagles, but he still posted solid pressure rates and is good against the run. Just seems like a guy that could really benefit from playing in the 49ers scheme.
ReplyDeleteGood call Scooter. If they don't address DE in FA, they need to address DE early in the draft, IMO.
DeleteThey can move up for Watson if they do more in free agency, and that's part of my point!
DeleteI doubt they would trade up for Watson regardless. Why would they? They already have two starting WRs they really like and a competent 3rd WR in Jennings. And it is a deep draft for WRs. Sounds like the 49ers might even be more inclined to find a deep threat WR in FA.
DeleteWhy is it so bad to use draft picks on a safety, OG or DE?
Seeing the Bucs and Rams win the past two years has skewed how people view the draft in a crazy way. Developing your own is still a tried and true process for long term success. And the funny thing is the 49ers have already drafted the replacements for the two key FAs they lost this year.
Scooter think about Burrow and Chase it gives a extra dimension
DeleteIsn't one of Deebo/ Aiyuk expected to be the "Chase" for Lance? I mean, I get why having a really good trio of WRs would be very nice, and I'm certainly not against it, but I really don't think they need to spend their 1st draft pick of 2022 on one, especially if it requires trading up to do so.
DeleteBy the way guys, I don't hate what ShanaLynch have done in FA, don't get me wrong. I like the moves they have made. I really like the Ward signing. Like, a lot! This is one of my favorite signing lately. So let me be clear about that.
ReplyDeleteBut for a team with a QB on his rookie deal, I want to see more, that's all I am saying. And the fact that they overplayed their hand with Jimmy, is very unfortunate in my book!
Yes, it is quite common for fans to want their team to sign every big name FA available.
DeleteNo, I don't want them to sign every big name FA available. Didn't say that at all. I am just concerned when it looks like they have lost more in FA than they have gained, and if they failed to address a few key positions.
DeleteAgain, they have $26M tied up in a player they don't even want, while other teams are getting better in FA. NOT A GOOD LOOK! And not the best way to get over the hump, IMO!
I do think the 49ers are substantially better at CB, and that's a net gain. But the problem is they've taken some big losses. Mostert and DJ Jones! Those are 2 very good players!
ReplyDeleteYou have to look at net loss vs net gain, to measure your free agency, and right now it feel s like the Niners lost more than they gained. Laken Tomslinson was anstallwort, and an iron man!
Mostert didn't play last year. The already have his replacements thanks to drafting two RBs last year. They drafted an OG last year in the 2nd round. They drafted a DT in the 1st round in 2020. Good teams plan for the future.
DeleteAnd they will still add some FAs. They just don't need to rush into signing guys at a premium now they have addressed their biggest need (CB).
Once again Scooter, it seems you will go to your grave before you admit that ShanaLynch made a mistake.
DeleteEveryone else who is looking objectively at the way the Jimmy Garoppolo situation has unfolded, UNDERSTANDS WITHOUT A DOUBT, that ShanaLynch grossly misread Jimmy's value on the trade market, and now they are in a much less advantageous position at this stage of the off-season, than what that had anticipated!
Sorry, but that's a fact whether you want to admit it or not
In fact, even Jack Hammer gets it now. Even Jack now admits that the 49ers have mishandled the Garoppolo situation.
DeleteIt's sad that even Jack Hammer is more unbiased than you are Scooter!
And one more thing needs to be repeated:
DeleteThe fact that every other QB option around the NFL has to be exhausted before teams will even consider Garoppolo, tells us all we need to know about Jimmy's value, and how he is perceived around the league!
Not really. I'd say the surgery has more to do with his perception atm.
DeleteLol, the injury is certainly a factor, but Jimmy is ALWAYS hurt, and that a bigger factor.
DeleteBut .... Let's be real about the fact that, if Jimmy was better, more durable, and less expensive, a surgically repaired capsule wouldn't stop every team that needs a QB in the entire league, from taking a chance on trading a 3rd round pick for Jimmy. The Colts got two 2nd round picks for often injured Carson Wentz who is even more expensive, and is also a real jerk according to sources.
Like I said:
DeleteWhen it comes to their roster, ShanaLynch deserve the benefit of the doubt ... EXCEPT at the QB position. They have been botching their QB situation for years, and this failure has likely already cost them 1 Super Bowl, maybe more.
You're jumping the shark again. Jimmy is the reason we're in this position. Before he got here we were a dysfunctional loser. Always remember that.
DeleteI dissagree, Razor.
DeleteYes, Jimmy was an upgrade over Mullens, Beathard and Hoyer. The problem is that, because the 49ers traded for Jimmy and gave him such a big contract, getting in bed with jimmy prevented them from doing even better at the QB position, which likely cost them at least 1 Super Bowl by now.
And, if Kyle had just had the guts to do what needed to be done, and move on from Jimmy last season, we wouldn't even be having this discussion now.
DeleteI don't know if they would have won a Super Bowl last season with Trey at the helm, but I knew they wouldn't win it with Jimmy, and the cost of keeping Jimmy around has set the 49ers back now heading into 2022, IMO. Not only do they not have that extra $25M they could have carried over to spend, Jimmy is also taking up an additional $26M in cap space on top of that.
DeleteThat's BAD business, IMO.
The day you realise snd accept that the bulk of JG's salary is needed for the rookies, extensions and in-season cap space/ transactions is the day you will realise and accept that carrying his salary right now is not what is impacting their decisions in FA.
DeleteAt that point you may even realise how similar this FA period is for the 49ers to those of 2020 and 2021.
They've built the roster up to the point they believe the core is in place. They've said all along the plan was for sustained success. Year to year it is now tinkering at the edges. The only position they haven't put a little bit of money to that I thought they would is OG. And they still might.
As for carrying over the $25M if they had gotten rid of JG last year, they still would have needed to pay a bridge QB. And their chances of making a playoff push would have diminished. Time to let it go dude.
Also.. I see we are back to the straw man arguments.
DeleteBengals just signed Collins. They've totally rebuilt the interior of their line. Smart.
DeleteIn fact, they may have to go RT at 62? I don't know. Suddenly the OL is a question mark, and that's unfortunate with a young, inexperienced QB.
ReplyDeleteIt's a question mark to you. I'd rather wait to see their final plan. We know absolutely nothing about who they're talking to and where they are in the negotiation stages, assuming they are.
DeleteGeorge, I keep saying that it's too early to give them a complete grade. Yes, they can still turn this off-season around. I understand that. I am simply judging them for where they are on March 20th.
DeleteAt THIS STAGE of the off-season, things aren't going as I had hoped as a Niners' Faithful fan.
That's all I am saying.
"If I were another team's GM, I wouldn't come within an inch of Garoppolo. I don't care what he can do or what he has done for the 49ers. He's a little too expensive, too old, and too often injured to get into bed with."
Delete- @DamonBruce on the Jimmy Garoppolo trade market.
— Damon & Ratto (@DamonAndRatto) March 18, 2022
Eric Crocker:
Delete"Not sure I’ve ever seen a situation like the 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo. All I know is the front office has played their hand wrong and Jimmy Garoppolo is all these teams plan D. Not A, not B, not C but D."
"Very unique situation"
Like i said before i hope we get one of those guys: WR Christian Watson,OL Tyler Smith or Jermaine Johnson.
ReplyDeleteJerry Rice knows whats a good QB yeahhhh.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/eDxLS-oBWHk
Honestly Razor and Scooter, you guys need to be a little more objective with your assessments of the 49ers. It doesn't do anyone any good to simply praise every move, and every decision Kyle and John make.
ReplyDeleteIt's really fortunate that you guys have me on here adding actual objectivity to your blog. I've been a hardcore Niners fan since the early 19890's, but that doesn't mean I have to applaud every decision Kyle and john make for the organization. In fact, a yes-man mentality does more harm than good, IMO.
My gosh, the 49ers could bring Trent Dilfer out of retirement and sign him to a big, 5 year deal, and I half expect you guys would defend such a decision with something like -
"This is another great move for the 49ers front office, as Trent Dilfer knows how to win Super Bowls, and he's proven to be a winner"
LOL
Having you tell anyone to be more objective like you is the most laughable thing I will likely hear this week. So thank you.
Delete"It's really fortunate that you guys have me on here adding actual objectivity to your blog."
DeleteI owe Sebnynah an apology. Here I thought *he* was the ultimate clueless narcissist in this little corner of Niner blogdom.
"LOL"
DeleteReasons ragging on the Niners, a top 2 to 4 NFL franchise as if they were a Jacksonville-esque bottom-feeder. LOL indeed.
Wheres the mute button?!
DeleteProbably we are more demanding 49Reasons and can drag ob about it hehehe.
ReplyDeleteLynch is telling teams he has two 2nd round picks on the table for Jimmy G.
ReplyDelete